21 delicious weeknight Instant Pot meals your family will love

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Whether you’re craving cozy comfort food or zesty international flavors, our roundup of these 21 Instant Pot weeknight wonders is here to transform your meal prep from frantic to fantastic.

Plate of orange chicken in a metal bowl from the top.
Instant Pot Orange Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot Pulled Pork

Pulled pork on a bun with sauce and cabbage.
Instant Pot Pulled Pork. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Who needs a smoker when you’ve got an Instant Pot? Whip up some succulent pulled pork that’s perfect for sliders, tacos, or just devouring straight from the pot. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s done in a jiffy, leaving you more time for fun.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pulled Pork

Instant Pot Beef Stew

Bowl of Instant Pot beef stew with carrots and potatoes.
Instant Pot Beef Stew. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Imagine a beef stew that tastes like it’s been simmering all day, but it’s ready before you’ve finished an episode of your favorite show. The apple cider twist adds a hint of sweetness to the flavors, making it even more delicious.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Beef Stew

Instant Pot Fish Tacos

Fish tacos on a plate in tortillas with coriander and lemon wedges.
Instant Pot Fish Tacos. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Taco Tuesday just got a whole lot easier with these Instant Pot fish tacos that go from frozen to fabulous in a flash. Get ready to stuff your face with these flaky wonders.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Fish Tacos

Instant Pot Jambalaya

Top view of Instant Pot jambalaya in a white bowl with shrimp and sausage.
Instant Pot Jambalaya. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Let the good times roll with a one-pot jambalaya that brings the Mardi Gras parade to your dinner table. Spicy, hearty, and chock-full of shrimp, sausage, and chicken, it’s a full-flavored fiesta that cooks up fast.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Jambalaya

Instant Pot Dirty Rice

Dirty rice with ground beef in a bowl topped with green onions.
Instant Pot Dirty Rice. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Dirty rice, clean plates: that’s the motto for this Instant Pot sensation. With beefy goodness and just the right amount of spice, it’s the kind of meal that has everyone asking for seconds before they’ve finished their firsts.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Dirty Rice

Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

Two bowls of instant pot vegetable soup in front of the pressure cooker.
Instant Pot Vegetable Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Veggies just got a fast pass to delicious with this Instant Pot soup that’s so easy, it practically makes itself. Dive into a bowl of nourishing goodness that’s ready in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

Instant Pot Pineapple Chili

Top view of a bowl of pineapple chili.
Instant Pot Pineapple Chili. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Sweet meets heat in this pineapple chili that’s delicious and different. It’s the perfect comfort food for when you want to spice things up a bit. Grab a spoon and dig into this tropical twist on a classic.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pineapple Chili

Instant Pot Orange Chicken

Plate of orange chicken in a metal bowl from the top.
Instant Pot Orange Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Skip the takeout and whip up some orange chicken that’ll make your local restaurant jealous. It’s tangy, it’s sweet, it’s better than getting fortune cookies that tell you obvious things.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Orange Chicken

Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice

An appetizing instant pot recipe bowl of beans and rice.
Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Monday blues are no match for this Instant Pot red beans and rice that’s ready to party any day of the week. It’s the kind of dish that warms you up from the inside out, with flavors so good they are Mardi Gras classics.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice

Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings

Top view of Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings in a white bowl.
Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Who knew dumplings could be a weeknight thing? This Instant Pot miracle turns a Sunday dinner classic into a weeknight regular. With tender chicken and veggies that add a pop of color, it’s a cozy meal that’s ready in a flash.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings

Instant Pot Gumbo

Bowl of gumbo with sausage and okra.
Instant Pot Gumbo. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Dive into a bowl of Instant Pot gumbo and let the good times roll any night of the week. Sausage and shrimp mingle with okra in a stew so hearty, you’ll forget it was made in a fraction of the traditional time.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Gumbo

Instant Pot Potato Soup

Bowl of potato soup with bacon and chives.
Instant Pot Potato Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

When you’re craving comfort but the couch is calling, this Instant Pot potato soup is your answer. Enjoy a creamy cloud of potato goodness, topped with all your favorite baked potato fixings.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Potato Soup

Instant Pot Mexican Rice

Brown bowl with Mexican rice on a wooden cutting board with cilantro and lime.
Instant Pot Mexican Rice. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Say ‘hola’ to a fiesta in a bowl with this spicy Instant Pot Mexican rice that’s as sassy as it is easy. Perfect as a side or a base for burrito bowls, it’s a no-brainer for spicing up your weeknight routine.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mexican Rice

Instant Pot Minestrone Soup

Olive Garden Minestrone Soup in a white bowl topped with basil.
Instant Pot Minestrone Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

With this Instant Pot minestrone, you can slurp your way to veggie heaven in no time flat. It’s a rainbow in a bowl, packed with all the good stuff. Who knew healthy could be this hearty and hasty?
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Minestrone Soup

Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches

Instant pot French dip sandwich next to an instant pot.
Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

French dip sandwiches in the Instant Pot? Oui, please! Transform a chuck roast into a melt-in-your-mouth filling, ready to be piled high on a crusty roll and dunked into savory au jus.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken on wooden cutting board.
Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Get sticky with it with this Instant Pot honey garlic chicken that’s sweet, garlicky, and ready to rock your dinner table. Chicken thighs have never been so exciting, and they’re done before you can decide on a side dish.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Instant Pot Cajun Rice and Sausage

Close up of Cajun Rice and Sausage on a plate.
Instant Pot Cajun Rice and Sausage. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

Unleash a carnival of flavors on your weeknight with this Instant Pot Cajun rice and sausage. It’s a down-home dish with a spicy kick that’s ready to liven up any evening.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Cajun Rice and Sausage

Instant Pot Coconut Pork

Instant Pot coconut pulled pork served with turmeric rice in a bowl.
Instant Pot Coconut Pork. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Transport your taste buds to exotic lands with this Instant Pot coconut pork, where spices like turmeric and cardamom play nice with sweet coconut. It’s a dish that’s as aromatic as it is quick, and it’ll have you dreaming of far-off places.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Coconut Pork

Instant Pot Beef Goulash

Goulash inside white casserole.
Instant Pot Beef Goulash. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

This Instant Pot goulash brings the rich, paprika-infused flavors of Central Europe right to your dinner table. It’s a low-carb soup, and your spoon is the only passport you need.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Beef Stew Goulash

Thai Chicken Curry

Low angle shot of a blue and white striped bowl filled with Thai chicken curry.
Thai Chicken Curry. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Break out of the dinner rut with this Thai chicken curry that’s easy and exotic. Use whatever veggies are lurking in your fridge, and let the Instant Pot do the heavy lifting.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Curry

Instant Pot Chicken Stew

A white bowl of Instant Pot Chicken Stew sits on a rustic wooden cutting board with a red linen on a white marble counter.
Instant Pot Chicken Stew. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Stew on this: a comforting chicken stew that practically cooks itself in the Instant Pot. With tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and a hint of thyme, it’s a classic done quick. Get ready to spoon up some love.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Stew

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